City Renews Blue Cross Insurance Plan

The Piedmont City Council approved the renewal of the Blue Cross Health Insurance for the City employees and their families. Each employee will have the option of keeping the current plan at an increase in premiums or take a plan designated as the “500” Plan at about the same premium with no rate increase but could have increased deductibles and co-pays. Currently the Blue Cross Plan costs $800 per month per employee but the City pays all but $106 and the family coverage is $2135 with the City paying all but $460. Under the proposed plan, the employee portion will increase to $160 per month to keep the current plan and under the Family Plan the employee portion would increase to $617 per month. Blue Cross Representatives will meet with employees within the next 2 weeks to discuss the coverage and costs and let the Employees choose the plan that suits them best. The new rates and coverage will be effective in August.

The Council approved a camera system to control the flow of traffic at the Traffic Light on highway 9 at the highway 278 intersection. The system cost is $20,000 for the equipment with the State Highway Department installing it.

The Council approved bills and payroll for the past 2 weeks in the amount of $405,102 and approved a small rate increase for dumpsters.

Seven Resolutions were approved by the Council with 5 dealing with grass mowing clean up at various properties throughout the City under the Abatement Program. One resolution was approved allowing for surplus properties for the City to be sold on Gov Deals.

The next Piedmont City Council Meeting is set for June 16 at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers.